anybody in virginia ever heard of slades

[threewheelin-feelin]

well i think thats how its spelled. i heard it is a atv park .. but ive never been and dont know much about it. ust wanted to know if any of you guys know anything about it. i think its in smithfield.

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

i have not

[VABCH350X]

Yes, it's in Surrey. I drove out there a few years ago to go riding with some friends, and it had been shut down. From what I hear, they are having dirt drags on the weekends, but are not officially opening it to bikes and ATVs. I would like to know if it is open again myself, because I understand it was a great place to ride.
-Paul

[threewheelin-feelin]

my next door neibor says he races his CR80 there every other weekend. he said they close the riding part for a while because someone got killed out there.... but he said they just opened it not to long ago..but he dosent know if it is still open. so when you were there did they have like camping areas and stuff? i was kinda looking for a place to have a VA TF

[VABCH350X]

I'm not sure if they had camping areas. I went there in 2001, and the owner was turning trucks away, saying he was closed. He took down everyone's email addresses and promised to contact them when he re-opened, but I never heard anything. I might have to take a ride out there one saturday and check him out.
-Paul

[VABCH350X]

Ok, I took a little drive today out to Surry County to visit Slade's Park. When I pulled up there was a big sign saying "NO TRAIL RIDING." I drove up on to the property a little bit, and saw about 10 or 12 RVs set up, but no bikes, ATVs or Jeeps in sight. There really wasn't anyone out there to talk to, but I can't imagine all of those RVs being parked out there if there if there is no event to attract campers. It certainly didn't look like they were enjoying the wilderness. Anyhow, there was most definitely no riding going on this Sunday afternoon, so I guess we can conclude that it is indeed closed to trail riding. I have heard rumor, however, that they do sponsor dirt drags on weekends in the summer.

-Paul

[threewheelin-feelin]

yes..my next door neibor races there like every other week end in the summer time. i also found out about another riding park here localy. i need to get more info on it tho. im trying to find a place to have a VA TF.

[markdb420]

Hey guys, I'd be interested in a Va TF, and maybe my buddy Chris and I can put something together. I don't have enough land to host such an event. I will be getting my small track done soon. It will be a flat track on the outside and some jumps and a mud bog on the inside of the flat track. I am waiting on the soybeans to be harvested and working on getting some fill dirt to make berms on the turns and jumps and trying to get a backhoe to dig out the mud bogs.

[VABCH350X]

Sounds good Mark. I have been looking for a bigger area to ride lately, and haven't come up with much. I know there is a state forest in NC, and there is some area up in the Blue Ridge mountains, but nothing too close to Tidewater. I will keep my eyes open....And let me know if you find a 200X locally, I am looking for one for the wife.
-Paul

[threewheelin-feelin]

well as soon as i can get more info on this other place... ill let youll know. i really want to get a va TF together.... but i dont know how many ppl would pertisapet. mark if you and your friend find a place and want to put one together let me know

[markdb420]

Man I sold a 200x about 9 months ago. I am rebuilding that 250r of mine right now and the lower end bearings and shift shaft are costing me a fortune! I am getting a 2000 Kawasaki 220 Bayou 4 wheeler for $300 for my wife to ride. She likes the auto clutch and reverse and 4 wheels. This 86 250r of mine is a real money pit! LOL You wouldn't happen to have any 250r bottom end parts laying around. I had a spare 250r motor that had a great bottom end and sold it and now I wish I hadn't sold it! My stupidity.

[VABCH350X]

Sorry man, I don't have any engine parts, haven't been into mine...yet. I'm still trying to get my suspension the way I want it. I think my rear shock is worn out, because the 250R sags a lot in the rear compared to the 350X, and is a lot softer. I have 2 other shocks, so I think I will try swapping springs around this weekend. I also have a set of forks I need to rebuild. I agree, they are money pits, but man they're fast.
-Paul

[markdb420]

Both of my 250rs sit higher than my 350x, especially the 86 it sits about 4 inches higher than my 85. The 350x is a relative low rider compared to the R's, and the rear shock is good (I have 2 separate shocks for the 350x). Yeah both of my R's will spank the 350x all the way on take off, and top speed, by alot. My 400ex is quicker than the 350x, but it has less top speed than the 350x. I really like all my ATVs for different reasons, but the R's are great for just flat out hauling trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro. The 400ex is the cadillac of all the ones that I own and the 350x is good all around.

[VABCH350X]

That's interesting about the ride height on your bikes. I must have a worn out spring on the 250R, because the 350X sits high when I sit on it, and the suspension is firm. My 250R kind of sags when I sit on it, and it feels really soft. I had a chance to ride with a couple guys on 400EXs a few weeks ago, and we swapped rides. The 400EX beat my 350 all the way around, I was a little disappointed, but I'm hoping its because my 350X is 100% stock, and the 400EX was somewhat modified.
The 250R, on the other hand, is absolutely insane. I haven't taken it out in the woods yet, but when I ride it around the neighborhood it scares me sometimes. Yesterday I took a turn in 3rd gear and gassed it, and the tires spun...on pavement! It is just way too fast, and it will be twice as awesome once I get the suspension dialed in. Hope to ride soon!!
-Paul

[markdb420]

My 350x is stock except for a DG exhaust and my 400ex has a DG Krome with supertrapp spark arrestor with 16 tooth front sprocket, jet kit, and hot ignition. That 400ex is strong on the acceleration, but after the 350x goes into 6th gear it'll catch and pass the 400ex. If I had the stock sprocket it'd take off even faster. Oh, by the way the 350x is running 20 inch rear Kenda Knarleys and they are an awesome tire, and are 2 in shorter than stock, but make it handle better. That might be why my 350x is lower than the 250rs. I need to get you to ride with me and my buddy Chris on his dad's land. He has a Tri-z and his bro has a beater 350x that spent most of it's life on Carova Beach, so it's rusty. Maybe one of these upcoming Sundays or Saturdays when I get back to VB from Northern VA (I am working on new Fiber optic to the home project for my employer Verizon). Yeah and on the 250r shock, you can get a good TRX or aftermarket TRX rear shock for a decent price on Ebay.